Surgical ablation tools and methods for using the same

An apparatus, comprising:

• a Radiofrequency (RF) probe, the RF probe comprising:
• a first cylindrically-shaped electrode extending axially from a proximal end of the RF probe to a distal end of the RF probe;
• a second cylindrically-shaped electrode extending axially from the proximal end of the RF probe to a first distance from the distal end of the RF probe, wherein the first cylindrically-shaped electrode is disposed concentrically within an interior of, and is slidable axially with respect to, the second cylindrically-shaped electrode;
• and
• a conductive tip electrically coupled with the first cylindrically-shaped electrode at a distal end thereof, wherein the conductive tip is sufficiently shaped or dimensioned to prevent the distal end of the first cylindrically-shaped electrode from fully sliding into the interior of the second cylindrically-shaped electrode;
• a J-shaped stylet capable of being inserted into an interior of the first cylindrically-shaped electrode via a directed movement of the J-shaped stylet by a user of the apparatus;
• a metal core attached to a proximal end of the J-shaped stylet;
• and
• a pull handle attached to a distal end of the metal core, wherein the pull handle, when pulled toward the proximal end of the RF probe, causes the metal core and the J-shaped stylet to slide out of the interior of the first cylindrically-shaped electrode.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a cannula handle;
• a cannula tube attached to the cannula handle;
• a surgical tool capable of passing through an interior of the cannula tube to access an anatomical tissue, the surgical tool comprising:
• a tubular proximal electrode;
• a tubular distal electrode slidably disposed within an interior of the proximal electrode;
• a surgical tip coupled to a distal end of the distal electrode and defining a distal end of the surgical tool opposite a proximal end of the surgical tool, wherein the surgical tip is sufficiently shaped or dimensioned to prevent a distal end of the distal electrode from fully sliding into the interior of the proximal electrode;
• a J-shaped stylet capable of being inserted into an interior of the distal electrode via a directed movement of the J-shaped stylet by a user of the apparatus;
• and
• a metal core at least partially disposed and further disposed in at least a proximal portion of the interior of the distal electrode to provide structural support for the distal electrode, wherein a distal end of the metal core is coupled to a proximal end of the J-shaped stylet, and wherein the J-shaped stylet is configured to be alternately inserted into, and removed from, the interior of the distal electrode via directed movements by the user axially toward, and away from, respectively, the distal end of the surgical tool.